Sparkling Diversity

Archie Whitehill, a Norfolk resident since 1977, takes a look at people some may consider to be living “outside the norm,” and the issues that affect them.

Category: Culture

■ 07 November 2009 | 7:42 AM

Turn Your Home or Business into a Gun Free Zone: Instructional Video

It is easy to turn your home or business into a gun-free zone; the following video explains how as well as the functionality of such zones:

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Any Questions?

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And your point...

Submitted by oyvey on Sat, 11/07/2009 at 9:10 am.

...is that, "Empty rhetoric accomplishes nothing. Fear is the beginning of wisdom. Tool up and you will neither get shot nor ever have to shoot anyone."

Archie, while you may be right, it would serve no purpose for someone like me to buy a gun and do target practice. Almost anyone could shoot me before I got my own gun out of the holster.

Well, not exactly . . . .

Submitted by Archie on Sat, 11/07/2009 at 10:31 am.

First, no one should be forced to carry any tool with which they are either unfamiliar, unskilled, or uncomfortable. As an example, I could tell someone that the best way to get downtown would be to buy a car. Perhaps, but that person may be frightened of driving, not physically or mentally qualified to drive, or just not interested in owning a car. Fine for that person.

Second, owning and carrying a gun is not a magic formula for safety. Again, training and willingness to use the gun in appropriate situations are paramount. If you are a poor driver, stay out of the driver's seat. If you are inept with a gun, do not carry or own one.

Third, and probably most important in this situation is that not allowing guns onto your property, especially retail outlets, is detrimental to the owner's and the customers' safety. Seeing the "No Guns" sign is a signal that it is safe to rob this establishment at gunpoint or gun threat. No one in the store is armed; law abiding citizens will not have guns, only the criminals who are safe in that gun-free environment. Back to the car analogy, if no one is allowed a car, no one will be able to offer you a ride downtown.

That, m'lady